Star Fox 1.2.0: Three New Maps and Four-Player Split Screen for Battle Mode

Nintendo and Velan Studios have just released update 1.2.0 for Star Fox on Nintendo Switch 2, and this time the spotlight is squarely on Battle Mode. As reported by Vandal, the patch adds three new stages, a batch of brand-new items and, above all, the option for up to four people to share the same console in split screen. It's a patch built for multiplayer, both on the couch and online.

Why does it matter? Because Battle Mode is what decides whether a game like this lives on beyond the campaign. A good map rotation and solid local multiplayer are exactly what turn a seasonal release into something people keep playing for months, whether at get-togethers with friends, in homegrown tournaments or on community streams. With this version, Nintendo is sending a clear signal that it wants Star Fox to have a competitive and social life.

What you need to know

• Version 1.2.0 of Star Fox for Nintendo Switch 2, developed together with Velan Studios.
• Three new stages for Battle Mode: Katina, Sector X and Venom, joining the existing ones.
• New items that can appear during matches.
• Split screen for up to four players on a single Switch 2, each with their own controller; Joy-Con 2 and original Joy-Con controllers can each be used individually held sideways.
• Players sharing a console can team up and jump into online random matches together.

What changes in Battle Mode

The most visible addition is the three maps. Katina, Sector X and Venom are names any series veteran will recognize instantly, so the choice is no accident: it leans on nostalgia and on locations with a strong identity of their own. For serious players, more maps mean more tactical variety, more routes to learn and less of a feeling that you're playing the same match over and over. That said, it remains to be seen how they fit into the overall balance and whether any of them becomes the community's undisputed favorite.

The new items are the other ingredient. Every item added to a mode like this shifts the dynamics: it can reward map awareness and zone control, or it can introduce a random element that frustrates anyone looking for a clean duel. The source doesn't detail what each one does, so the real verdict will come once players have put them through their paces.

The return of couch multiplayer, with an online twist

The big news is four-player split screen. All you need is a controller per player, and the fact that Joy-Con from the original Switch still work held sideways is a practical touch: it lowers the barrier to entry for anyone who already has controllers at home. But the most interesting part is that this feature isn't limited to local play. Players sharing a console can form a team and dive into online random matches together, something many current multiplayer titles still don't allow.

This affects several kinds of players: groups of friends playing in the same room, families, local event organizers and content creators looking for stream formats with guests without having to set up multiple consoles.

Our take

Here at the Underworld Lordz newsroom, we see it as a well-judged patch. Local multiplayer is part of Nintendo's DNA, and having Star Fox bring it back in a big way, and on top of that connect it to online matchmaking, is the kind of decision that extends a game's lifespan. For content creators it's gold: four players on a single console, with live reactions, is a format that practically runs itself.

That said, from a competitive standpoint we have reservations. Four-player split screen is fantastic for having fun, but it isn't the ideal environment for measuring skill: less screen space, shared visibility and possible performance drops that have yet to be assessed. And in online random matches, a team playing in the same room has an obvious coordination advantage over strangers. It's not a disaster, but matchmaking should take it into account.

We'd also like more information about the items and about possible options to turn them off. If Star Fox wants a serious competitive scene, it needs configurable rules and a mode without randomness. It already has iconic maps; now it needs to prove that Battle Mode can withstand the demands of players who play to win.

What do you think?

Has 1.2.0 won you over, or were you hoping for something more competitive? Tell us which map you're most excited about and whether you'll be setting up four-player matches at home. Do you think Star Fox's Battle Mode has what it takes for tournaments, or will it remain a party game? We'll see you in the team chat and on our Discord.